Modesto Police Department News Release

Police Investigating a Fatal Stabbing

NEWS RELEASE

Release Date: January 13, 2012

Modesto Police Department

Media Relations

Office of the Chief of Police

600 10th Street, Modesto, CA95354

Author: Lieutenant Rick P. Armendariz

Modesto, CA- Homicide detectives are investigating a fatal stabbing and have been receiving little help from the victim’s family in the investigation. Two family members have been arrested for accessory to murder and the suspect responsible for the stabbing remains at-large.

This incident began on Saturday evening, January 12th, at about 9 P.M., when fire and paramedic personnel were call to a medical aid request at an apartment in the Redwood Apartment complex, located at 2837 Yosemite Boulevard in southeast Modesto.When emergency personnel arrived, they located a 55-year-old male victim, suffering from multiple stab wounds.Paramedics quickly summoned law enforcement and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

When Modesto Police officers arrived they began to question witnesses and family members who were at the apartment.Several of the family members were uncooperative and gave conflicting information as to what occurred.Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators were summoned to take over the investigation.

Throughout the night, investigators processed the crime scene and interviewed witnesses and family members. Detectives learned the victim, who resided at the apartment, was assaulted by 50-year-old Francisco Hernandez Gonzales. It appears several witnesses to include family members were present during the assault. After the stabbing two family members, 26-year-old Richard Gonzales and 33-year-old Jaime Bacca, drove Francisco Gonzales away from the scene and took him to an unknown location, which aided Francisco Gonzales in eluding authorities.A call was then made to 911 requesting medical assistance for the stabbing victim.

Both Richard Gonzales and Jaime Bacca have been uncooperative with detectives in this investigation.Detectives arrested Richard Gonzales and Jaime Bacca for accessory to murder and both were booked into the Stanislaus County Jail.

Police are actively looking for Francisco Hernandez Gonzales.He is described as 5’-4” tall, 140 lbs., and has greyish hair and brown eyes.He has a prosthetic left leg and walks with a pronounced limp.Gonzales also has distinguishable facial skin discoloration.Francisco Gonzales is wanted for murder and police ask anyone who may know his whereabouts to call 911.

This remains an active investigation and detectives are still looking into the motive and events which led to the stabbing. An autopsy is scheduled for the beginning of the week and the identity of the victim will not be released until it is confirmed by the Stanislaus County Coroner’s office.

If you have any information regarding this incident please call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters can also text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a text message to 274637.Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

*** ATTENTION MEDIA ***

Photographs of Francisco Hernandez Gonzales, Richard Gonzales and Jaime Bacca were not available at the time of the press release.